Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 47m
Distance
257.7 mi
415 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Bluff, VA
Jon Eliya
Newport News, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 257.7 miles across Virginia, this drive connects Cedar Bluff to Newport News in approximately 4 hours and 47 minutes. Since the entire journey is highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $41 for fuel as you traverse the state from the mountainous southwest toward the coastal southeast. Because 90% of your travel occurs on major interstates, the pace remains steady and predictable. It is a straightforward trek that works best for travelers prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.8 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 146.7 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 64.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| US 220 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| I 581 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Diligence Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 4th Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Thimble Shoals Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Bluff, VA and Newport News, VA.
Start on 5th Street Southeast
Turn right onto Highland Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast
Turn left onto VA 24
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 581; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
Continue on I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Continue on I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 17
Turn right onto Diligence Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard
Turn left
At end of road, turn right
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 47-minute drive, plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the monotony of the interstate. Since your fuel costs will hover around $41, consider filling up before you reach the longest 146.7-mile stretch on I-64 to avoid higher prices in more isolated areas. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding potential congestion on the more heavily trafficked highway sections. Given that this is a single-day trip, keep your itinerary flexible so you can adjust your rest breaks based on traffic flow. Always monitor your fuel gauge closely during that primary 146-mile segment to ensure you reach your destination in Newport News without unnecessary stress.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport News, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cedar Bluff, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cedar Bluff, VA
This is one driving day of about 257.7 miles and 4h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 128.8 miles from Cedar Bluff, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 198.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 581 North, US 220 North: Lexington, Salem
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220 toward I 81 North, US 220 North: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$40.30 one way
$80.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $44.06 | $88.13 |
| premium | $4.70 | $47.69 | $95.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.90 | $113.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
| Efficient EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.08 | $16.49 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Cedar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in Newport News on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
National Monument
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
National Monument
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
You will spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed thoroughfares, as this route is comprised of 90% highway driving. Your journey relies heavily on I-64, I-81, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, creating a consistent experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 146.7 miles on I-64, requiring you to maintain focus during long periods of sustained speed. While the road lacks the technical demands of local winding paths, the transition from the interior regions toward the coast keeps the drive feeling purposeful. Expect a reliable, interstate-heavy transit that favors speed and direct navigation.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 257.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
159 ft
Total Descent
157 ft
Highest Point
1,126 ft
~21.5 mi in
Elevation Range
159 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cedar Bluff, VA and Newport News, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Cedar Bluff, VA or browse trips ending in Newport News, VA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse VA road trips.
